Saudi’s Royal Commission for AlUla to restore old mud-brick buildings into high-end hotel

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced that it will further expand the accommodation offering in AlUla with Dar Tantora by The House Hotel.

It will develop the 30-room landmark property by restoring several historical mud-brick buildings using contemporary engineering methods and time-honoured techniques.

The rooms will be adorned with traditional décor, furniture and artistic accents, incorporating storytelling elements that capture the area’s intangible heritage. Local artisans received specialised training to participate in the restoration endeavours.

The development will showcase the Old Town village as a vibrant cultural hub.

Dar Tantora will also house a pool and spa as well as a restaurant and café.

John Northen, vice president – head of Hotels and Resorts, Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Dar Tantora by The House Hotel will allow guests to live the rich heritage of the AlUla Old Town historical village. Steeped in the past yet embracing progress, this hotel encapsulates RCU’s vision for a diverse range of accommodations as we continue to deliver on our plans for more than 5,000 keys by 2030.”

“We take immense pride in operating Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, a location that seamlessly weaves AlUla Old Town’s cultural legacy with the comfort of modern luxury. At Kerten Hospitality, our dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences resonates with RCU’s objective of creating harmonious communities, and we eagerly look forward to playing a significant role in the region’s development,” added Marloes Knippenberg, CEO, Kerten Hospitality.

With balconies overlooking the cultural oasis in #AlUla, our new #DarTantora hotel will immerse visitors in the natural, cultural environment and history of #AlUlaOldTown, one of UNWTO’s #BestTourismVillages for 2022. #SaudiVision2030 pic.twitter.com/7SlvEBdUUn

— الهيئة الملكية لمحافظة العلا (@RCU_SA) April 15, 2023

Royal Commission for AlUla enters the metaverse

In other news, the Royal Commission for AlUla last year officially entered the metaverse with an immersive 3D model of Hegra’s Tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Created in the vast and rapidly expanding digital landscape of Decentraland, the AlUla monument will be accessible to virtual tourists. They can explore its unique features from anywhere in the world.

Marking AlUla’s first-ever venture into the innovative digital realm and the first UNESCO World Heritage site in the metaverse, a trip to Hegra will be just as impressive, inspiring, and mesmerising as in real life, a statement said.

Visitors can take a 360-degree tour of Hegra’s tomb.

Read: Saudi’s Royal Commission for AlUla enters the metaverse